The project
Saipem, in tandem with Saudi Aramco, achieved a new pipeline shore pull record with the Berri Downstream Pipeline. Shore pull operations were conducted by utilizing the biggest and most powerful linear pulling winch ever used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has an 800-ton pulling capacity. The purpose of the project is to provide the increment program with the required transportation capacity through the installation of two new downstream pipelines able to handle stabilized Arabian light crude oil and sour condensate. The project is part of the wider scope associated with the Berri Increment program, which will provide facilities to Saudi Aramco to increase crude availability and processing capacity of the offshore Berri field by an additional 250 MBCD. The new pipelines and associated facilities are designed and routed both onshore and offshore, connecting Aramco’s processing plant on Abu Ali Island to the existing Khursaniyah Gas Plant and Juaymah tank farm via expanding the existing KRT pipeline corridor.
An extraordinary project
One of the major operational challenges of the project was the required integration of the onshore and offshore installation. The four sections of the 30” and 10” diameter offshore pipelines, for an overall pulling length of over 8 km, have been installed thanks to the synergic and synchronized operations between the shore pull spread located at the onshore land fall areas and the pipelay marine spread of the Saipem Endeavor vessel. Innovative solutions were implemented, like the automated socket passing while under load, the linear transducers and grip sensors providing continuous feedback and an advanced control, and monitoring system including the additional CCTV to assess the equipment in real time while in operation.
